UKHRUL: A sit-in protest was organised by the Sinakeithei Shanao Long on Tuesday following the ongoing firing by alleged Kuki militants which began 9:00 A.M on Monday morning.
The women accused the use of sophisticated weapons and bombs, disrupting normal life in the village. Unable to commence with daily activities, the villagers proclaim that Sinakeithei is not a battlefield.
The act is not an isolated incident but rather an ongoing attack on the villagers which has been continuing for the past 2 months, the villagers claim. “People living in this village are in constant fear, students cannot to go school as usual, nor can they go out to play because their minds are traumatized. Older citizens are at their homes caught up in fight,” a woman stated.
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The women have urged for the concerned authorties to take immediate action, specifically the government and the Chief Minister of Manipur. “We cannot go on like this, we need basic rights. We need food, we need education, we need finances to continue living” the woman added.
The villagers have also alleged that the Kuki militants have set up bunkers around the area, which is causing immense difficulties for their livelihood, “We cannot even harvest the vegetables from our gardens which we planted” says a woman. “Even now, for the upcoming months to survive we cannot plant the paddy and vegetables.”
At the same time, the women acknowledged that bunkers have been established within the village, but said these were built for self-defense. They alleged that the Kuki militants are encroaching on their land, roaming freely with their weapons while restricting the villagers’ movement.
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The Sinakeithei Shanao Long have appealed to the government for removal of the bunkers that have been build and to upgrade securities along with fulfilling basic rights for life.